VACATION IDEAS

15 Most Beautiful National Parks in America

Whether you're planning a summer vacation or just craving some eye candy, we've got 40 trip-inspiring photos of our most treasured—and gorgeous—national parks. From the Southern California desert to the coast of Maine, here are 15 parks we couldn't live without!

Yosemite National Park, in California, covers more than 1,000 square miles in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Sights like the dramatic cliffs known as Half Dome, unforgettable waterfalls, and quiet meadows make this one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Big Bend National Park, in Texas, is one of the park service's lesser-known gems. If you prefer your adventures with some elbow room, the uncrowded park features rivers and canyons to rival its more famous cousins.

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Santa Elena in Big Bend is one of the most popular destinations. The park can be explored in a daylong drive, or you can settle in at a campsite or nearby motel for more in-depth exploration.

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The stately Chicos Mountains form a backdrop for Big Bend National Park.

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The classic cholla cactus is one of the iconic plant species indigenous to Joshua Tree National Park.

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Joshua Tree is a manageable drive from Los Angeles, making it a popular destination for visitors to Southern California.

Olympic National Park's Hurricane Ridge is a bit more beautiful than its scary name might suggest.

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Glacier National Park is arguably the most beautiful of all our national parks, with mountains that scrape the sky and lovely glacial lakes such as Lake McDonald, where you'll be hard-pressed not to skip stones.

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Glacier's Visitors Center is a handy place to learn about the day's activities, wildlife sighting, and possible weather conditions (snow is a possibility at some elevations 12 months out of the year).

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Glacier's Highline Trail is not for the faint of heart!

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One of the oldest in the national park system, Crater Lake National Park, in Oregon, is deeply colorful and dramatic.

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Crater Lake is not only a popular tourist destination, but is also considered sacred by some of Oregon's native peoples.

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Yellowstone National Park is a must-see, with the beautiful Yellowstone Falls being one of the most popular sights.

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Scenery in Yellowstone is delightful all year long—and the park draws increasing numbers of winter visitors—but spring is perhaps the most extraordinary time to visit.

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Your trip to Yellowstone can be as rugged or as pampered as you'd prefer. Spend the day hiking to gorgeous falls, or relax on a guided tour.

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While the mountains in Grand Teton National Park are not as dizzyingly high as their neighbors in other Western parks, their profile is certainly the most distinctive.

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